Reel-making Freeloaders: Finfluencer Wary About India’s Untapped Youth Workforce
The rise of social media has given birth to a new breed of "reel-making freeloaders" in India, who are leveraging their online presence to mooch off others’ success, leaving many talented and eager youth talents untapped. Finfluencer, a social media personality known for his witty commentary on social issues, is sounding the alarm, urging policymakers to address this worrying trend.
In an exclusive interview with Tech Word News, Finfluencer expressed his concerns, saying, "India’s youth are not being utilized to their full potential. With the absence of a robust job market, many young people are getting stuck in the cycle of freelancing, creating content for a pittance. It’s a vicious cycle where they’re treated as disposable and undervalued."
Finfluencer is not the only one worried about this phenomenon. Other experts concur that India’s education system and job market are not designed to cope with the country’s exploding youth population. According to the United Nations, India is expected to surpass China as the world’s most populous country by 2027, with over 65% of its population below the age of 35. However, the unemployment rate among this demographic remains worryingly high, with estimates suggesting that over 40% of Indian youth are jobless.
The rise of social media platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram has contributed to this issue. Here, content creators can build a following without necessarily having a concrete job or stable income. While it may seem glamorous to post captivating videos or witty captions, many are struggling to make ends meet. "Freelance content creation is not a sustainable way to live," warns Finfluencer. "It’s unsustainable, exploitative, and demotivating. We need to create more opportunities and trainings for our youth, so they can have better prospects and a secure future."
What’s more worrying is that this cycle is not limited to India alone. The trend is being mimicked globally, with many countries struggling to create jobs and opportunities for their young populations. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), nearly 200 million youth worldwide are unemployed, with many more at risk of being excluded from the formal labor market.
To combat this issue, policymakers must address the root causes. Firstly, they need to focus on creating high-quality education and training programs that equip students with the skills required for the 21st-century job market. Secondly, they should invest in infrastructure and create more job opportunities in various sectors, from manufacturing to services. Lastly, they must work towards ensuring that our social media platforms and content creation tools are not exploited to prey on this desperate talent.
As Finfluencer concludes, "We need to recognize the potential of India’s youth and create a system that recognizes, rewards, and develops their skills. We cannot afford to waste their talent on shallow, exploitative, and short-term gigs. It’s time to tackle this crisis head-on and unleash the full potential of our youth."
Factoids:
- 65% of India’s population is below the age of 35.
- 40% of India’s youth are without a job.
- Over 200 million youth worldwide are unemployed, with many at risk of being excluded from the formal labor market.
- India is expected to surpass China as the world’s most populous country by 2027.
